In the world’s harshest operating environments—where distances stretch beyond infrastructure, satellites can falter, and conditions change in an instant—communications are more than a capability. They are a lifeline.
That reality is driving the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to explore new ways to maintain secure, resilient connectivity across vast and contested regions. Now, Ultra Intelligence & Communications (Ultra I&C) is stepping forward with a solution designed for exactly those conditions.
Announced on March 18, 2026, Ultra I&C will provide its Archer™ troposcatter system for operational trials with the CAF, supporting missions in both the Arctic and Europe. The goal: extend secure beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications in environments where traditional infrastructure simply doesn’t exist—and where satellite coverage can’t always be relied upon.
Reaching Beyond the Horizon
Troposcatter technology is not new. For decades, it has enabled long-range communications by bouncing radio signals off the troposphere. But what Ultra I&C is bringing to the table with Archer represents a modern evolution of that concept—one tailored to today’s operational realities.
The Archer system is designed to deliver high-throughput BLOS connectivity without depending on satellites or ground-based infrastructure. In practical terms, that means forces operating in remote Arctic regions or contested European theatres can maintain secure communications links even when conventional systems are degraded or unavailable.
This capability aligns directly with Canada’s newly released Defence Industrial Strategy, which emphasizes sovereign capability, Arctic readiness, and stronger contributions to Allied defence. In that context, Archer is not just a piece of equipment—it is part of a broader effort to ensure Canada can operate independently and effectively in strategically critical regions.
Smaller, Faster, More Resilient
One of Archer’s defining advantages lies in its physical and operational footprint. Compared to legacy troposcatter systems, the platform significantly reduces size, weight, power requirements, and cost—without compromising on performance.
At the same time, it integrates advanced encryption and anti-jamming capabilities, ensuring communications remain secure and resilient in contested environments.
For operators in the field, usability is just as critical as performance. Archer introduces a next-generation graphical user interface (GUI) that automates set-up and auto-alignment, allowing teams to establish connectivity in minutes. Crucially, this can be done without specialized training or the need for dedicated technical experts on-site.
The system’s common GUI—shared across Ultra I&C platforms—also creates a consistent user experience, simplifying training pipelines and accelerating adoption across units. In operational terms, that translates into faster deployment, reduced complexity, and greater flexibility in the field.
Built for the Contested Battlespace
Modern operations increasingly demand redundancy. Networks must remain functional even when individual systems fail or are targeted.
Archer is designed with that reality in mind. Each system is built to operate in contested environments, providing commanders with an additional layer of network resilience exactly where it is needed most. By adding an alternative communications pathway, it helps ensure continuity of operations—even in degraded or denied conditions.
That capability has already attracted attention beyond Canada. Archer was selected by the U.S. Army in June 2025, and has since been adopted by other Allied militaries seeking to strengthen network resiliency and extend secure communications across challenging terrain and extended ranges.
From Legacy Concept to Modern Capability
At its core, Archer represents the modernization of a proven concept—re-engineered for expeditionary, high-tempo operations.
“Arctic operations demand communications that work when everything else fails,” said Faith Rhodes, vice president of programs at Ultra I&C. “Archer extends network reach into remote environments where connectivity means the difference between mission success and isolation. We’ve taken troposcatter technology — which has been around for decades — and engineered it for 21st century warfare that is expeditionary, resilient, and deployable in under 15 minutes.”
That focus on rapid deployment and operational resilience is particularly relevant for Canada’s Arctic posture, where distances are vast, infrastructure is limited, and conditions are among the most unforgiving on the planet.
A Strategic Testbed for the Future
The upcoming operational trials with the CAF will serve as a critical step in validating Archer’s performance in real-world conditions. Beyond experimentation, they will help inform how next-generation communications capabilities can be integrated into Canada’s broader defence architecture.
As Canada continues to invest in sovereignty, readiness, and interoperability with Allies, systems like Archer point to a future where communications are no longer constrained by geography or infrastructure.
Instead, they become a flexible, resilient enabler of operations—capable of reaching beyond the horizon, wherever the mission demands.